Vice senior editor Brian Merchant, who penned an Aug. 5 piece critical of Edelman's work with the American Petroleum Institute regarding climate change, said Edelman called him at home to stress that the firm "recognizes the reality of climate change and accepts the science behind the claim."

Edelman stood out in its response because it wouldn't rule out work for those that contest climate change science. "I do not believe we are obligated in any way to participate," said an email by Hass apparently intended for internal Edelman discussion that was sent to CIC. "There are no right answers for this guy."

The firm's on-the-record response to the CIC survey also raised flags.

“Expanding the dialogue in a constructive manner, and driving productive outcomes to solve energy challenges are the key criteria for evaluating client engagements,” Edelman spokesman Michael Bush told the Guardian, noting the firm takes clients on a case-by-case basis.

"We fired the head of our US [division] in part because of that stupid note he wrote, about, you know, how we don't answer these kinds of things," Edelman told Merchant. The CEO of PR's largest firm said the firm's was misrepresented because of "the ham-head who filled out the questionnaire to be a little, uh, slick. And I don't like that."

Bill Huey (Aug. 15, 2014):Well, Jackson, if you go to Davos every year it doesn't do to be seen running with the Deniers. It's just not comme il faut.

But I might take offense at "ham-head."

Jackson Browning (Aug. 14, 2014):Remind me never to hire or work for Edelman if they are willing to throw their leadership under the bus for P.C. reasons over a minor issue like this. There has to be more to the story.